Key holder and display means therefor



June 26, 1951 T. M. JABLON KEY HOLDER AND DISPLAY MEANS THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 9, 1949 INVENTOR.

June 26, 1951 JABLON 2,557,970

KEY HOLDER AND DISPLAY MEANS THEREFOR Filed May 9, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Patented June 26, 1951 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE KEY HOLDER AND DISPLAY MEANS THEREFOR Theodore M. J ablon, New York, N. Y. Application May 9, 1949, Serial No. 92,231

4 Claims.

This invention relates to key-holders which provide key-holdin sections for keeping groups of keys separate, each of which sections can be opened and closed separately.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a key holder having a multiplicity of keyholding sections, that is at least three, in the form of chain loops; in which the loops are swivel-connected to a common connector; in which each loop has safe yet simple closure means which is simple to manipulate; and to provide such a key holder which is compact, highly flexible and simple, and which can be readily and inexpensively assembled; and to provide such a key holder which is attractive in appearance.

Another object is to provide such a key holder in conjunction with a display card to which it is attachable in an attractive pattern.

I attain these objects by the use of the so called bead chain in which hollow metal beads alternate with stems, and the stems have swivel connection with the beads, the beads being closed or swedged over the expanded ends or heads of stems.

I provide a common connector to interconnect the inner end beads of several individual lengths of such bead chain, and I form the free outer end portion of each length into a loop by means of separate connectors or couplings.

More specifically, I tor from which the loops may extend radially, that is in a spider-like pattern.

According to one feature, I provide a common connector comprising a pair of annular shells combined in symmetrical fashion so as to form an annular hollow in which it receives and holds the inner end heads, the shells being interconnected by central connecting means. The outer edges of the shells are spaced from each other so as to form a gap smaller than the diameter of the end beads.

According to another feature, the closure means for a bead chain loop is a two-socketed coupling shell or straight bead chain coupling havin an auxiliary lateral opening opposite to the main opening. An intermediate bead near the common connector is snapped into one socket of the coupling shell with the free end portion of a loop-forming chain passing through the auxiliary opening, while the free end bead of the chain is snapped into the other socket of the coupling shell. I

According to still another feature, one of the loop-forming chains is long enough to represent a, belt-to-pocket key chain with an anchoring provide a common connecis disposed upon the card with the loops appearing as pendants side by side. The key holder is attached to the card by snapping the closing couplings of each extreme outer loop into specially shaped openings provided in the card.

Other feature and advantages will appear as this specification proceeds.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan View of one embodiment of the key holder.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged and part-sectional view of the central common connector of the key holder.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows the parts of Fig. 3 drawn apart.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of one of the key-holding loops.

Fig. 6 is a view on line 6-6 of Fig. 5 of the closure couplingof the loop.

. Fig. 7 is a view on line 1-1 of Fig. 5 of the closure coupling.

Fig. 8 i another embodiment of the key holder to' serve as a belt-to-pocket key chain.

Fig. 9 shows the Fig. 1 embodiment of the key holder mounted in a play card.

Fig. 9a. is a top view on line 9a9a upon Fig. 1. Fig. 10 shows the display card with special apertures provided therein.

Fig. 11.is a detail section enlarged taken on line ll-ll ofFig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a detail section enlarged taken on line l2l2 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a detail section taken on line I3|'llv of Fig. 9.

The key holder of the Fig. 1 embodiment com-.

prises three key-holding loops H], H, l2 interconnected by a central or common connector l3. Each loop or key holding unit comprises a length of bead chain made up of beads l4 in the nature of hollow metal beads and of stems IS. The length of a loop-forming chain is defined by an inner terminal bead l6 and an outer terminal bead l1.

Such a loop or key-holding unit comprises (see also Fig. 5) a two-socketed bead chain coupling or coupling shell having a main entrance opening Ill and opposite to it an extra or auxiliary opening I8 and further a socket l8 and a socket l8 special manner upon a dis- While the inner terminal bead i is held in and by the connector l3, an intermediate bead i9 is held in the one socket 18 and the outer terminal bead held in the socket i The intermediate bead l9 in this example is shown to be the third bead counting from the inner end head, so that a bead 26 alone appears between the connector. l3 and the loop closure coupling H3 in the assembly Fig. l.

The connector i3 (see Figs, 2 and 3) comprises a pair annular shells 2i and 22 assembled with their inner sides facing each other to constitute an annular hollow 23 in which are held the inner terminal beads of the loops. The annular shells are held together as by aneyelet 24 although spaced from each other as by a ring 25 so that the outer edges of the annular shells form an annular gap 26 the width of which is less than the diameter of the terminal beads lodged within the annular hollow. Fig. 4 shows the parts of Fig. 3 although drawn apart and prior to their assembly, an eyelet 26 being shown in blank or open condition.

The embodiment of loops or key-holding units 21 and 28 similar to those of Fig. l, and a third loop 29 having between it and a common connector 30 a length of chain 3! long enough to'make a belt-.to-pocket key chain.

The combination of a display card D with the Fig. l embodiment of the key holder, a special manner of attachment of the holder to the card, as well as a special pattern of display of this key holder upon the card, are shown in Figures 9 to 13.

According to Fig. 9 this key holder is arranged upon the card in a pattern in which the three loops appear side by side presenting shapes somewhat resembling tear drop-shaped pendants. The middle loop with its closure coupling lil hangs freely from the central connector [3, while the other two loops furnish the means of attachment of the key holder to the card in that their. closure couplings H and I2 are'inserted int'o and held in a special manner by apertures 32 and 33, whereby the center connector I3 is held in place. Each of these apertures has expanded ends and. a constricted middle portion. More specifically each of these openings is defined as comprising a pair of round holes 35 and 35 interconnected by a slit forming tongues 36 and 36. The apertures 32 and 33 are disposed symmetrically upon the card with respect to each other and outwardly and downwardly inclined as indicated by angles a. The diameter d of the holes 34 and 35 and the total length of the apertures L is such that they will accommodate in them. the closure couplings H and 12 respectively in the manner. shown in Figures 9 9, ll, 12, 13, that is with the tonguestt and 36 snapped into the respective mainand auxiliary openings of the ecu-,- plings H and I2.

Whatl claim is:

l. A multiple-loop key holder having a multipli'city of key-holding loops extending from a central connector and provided with means for individually opening and closing each loop, characterized by the fact that the central. connector comprises a pair of shells combined in complementary and fixed relationship to each other forming a hollow although. with the outer edges of the shells spaced from each other a distance smaller than the diameter of end beads. of bead chain hereinafter mentioned, and that each Fig; 8- provides a pair of.

loop comprises a length of bead chain having its inner end bead held in the hollow of said connector, a two-socketed bead chain closure coupling having a lateral main opening and opposite to it a lateral auxiliary opening, said coupling being associated with said length of chain in such a manner that an intermediate bead lodges in the inner socket of the coupling with the inner end portion of said length extending through the coupling by way of said auxiliary opening, and that the outer end bead of said length lodges in and is held by the outer socket of the. coupling.

2. A multiple-loop key holder having a multiplicity of key-holding loops extending from a central connector and provided with means for individually opening and closing each loop, characterized by the fact that the central connector comprises a pair of shells combined in complementary and fixed relationship to each other forming a hollow although with the outer edges of the shells spaced from each other a distance smaller than the diameter of end beads ofbead chain hereinafter mentioned, and that each loop comprises a length of head chain having its inner end bead held in the hollow of said connector,

a two-socketed bead chain closure coupling'haw' ing a lateral main opening and opposite to it alateral auxiliary opening, said coupling being associated with said length of chain in such a manner that an intermediate bead lodges in the inner socket of portion of said length extending through the couplin by way of said auxiliary opening, the outer end bead of said length being adapted to lodge in the outer socket of the coupling.

3; A multiple-loop key holder having a multiplicity of key-holding loops extending from a central connector and provided with means for individually opening and closing each loop, characterized bythe fact that the central connector comprises a pairof shells combined in complementary and fixed relationship to each other forming a hollow although with the outer edges of the shells spaced from each other a distance smaller than the diameter of end beadsof bead chain hereinafter mentioned, and that each loop comprises a length of bead chain having its inner end bead held in the hollow of said connector, a two-socketed bead chain closure coupling having a lateral main opening and opposite to it a lateral auxiliary opening, said coupling being associated with said length of chain in such a manner that an intermediate bead lodges in the inner Socket of the coupling with the inner end portion of saidlength extend.- ing through the coupling by way of said auxiliary opening, and that. the outer end head of said length lodges in and is held by the outer socket oi the coupling, and further characterized by a display card having, a pair of elongated substantially dumbbell-shaped openings inclined to.- wards each. other and upwardly converging towards each other, each opening having widened end" portions and a constricted intermediate portion defined by a pair of tongue portions extending towards each other, each elongated opening having inserted therein one of said closure couplings in such a manner that the end portions of the coupling lodge in respective widened end portions of the opening and the upper tongue portion extends into the main opening whilev the low-er tongue portion extends into the: auxiliaryopening of the closure'coupling.

4'. A multiple-loop key holder having a multithe coupling with the innerend plicity of key-holding loops extending from a central connector and provided with means for individually opening and closing each loop, characterized by the fact that the central connector comprises a pair of shells combined in complementary and fixed relationship to each other forming a hollow although with the outer edges of the shells spaced from each other a distance smaller than the diameter of end beads of bead chain hereinafter mentioned, and that each loop comprises a length of bead chain having its inner end bead held in the hollow of said connector, a two-socketed bead chain closure coupling havign a lateral main opening and opposite to it a lateral auxiliary opening, said coupling being associatedwith said length of chain in such a manner that an intermediate bead lodges in the inner socket of the coupling with the inner end portion of said length extending through the coupling by way of said auxiliary opening, and that the outer end bead of said length lodges in and is held by the outer socket of the coupling, and further characterized by a display card havign a pair of elongated substantially dumbbellshaped openings inclined towards each other and upwardly converging towards each other, each opening having widened end portions and a constricted intermediate portion defined by a 6 pair of tongue portions extending towards each other, each elongated opening being adapted to have inserted therein one of said closure couplings in such a manner that the end portions of the coupling lodge in respective widened end portions of the opening and the upper tongue portion extends into the main opening while the lower tongue portion extends into the main opening While the lower tongue portion extends into the auxiliary opening of the closure coupling.

THEODORE M. JABLON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references .are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 261,237 Kenney July 18, 1882 526,523 Fisher Sept. 25, 1894 1,042,875 Bishop Oct. 29, 1912 1,053,626 Miller Feb. 18, 1913 1,259,388 Gagnon Mar. 12, 1918 1,677,767 Goodridge July 17, 1928 1,692,649 Goodridge et al Nov. 20, 1928 1,7 0,472 Gagnon July 9, 1929 1,734,032 Evans Nov. 5, 1929 1,814,710 Komorous July 14, 1931 

